Old Thatch series

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/old-thatch-series

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the architectural classification?Vernacular architecture, rural housing tradition
2. What is the primary construction materials?Water reed, straw, sedge, timber, clay, sand, animal dung
3. Why do Old Thatch houses have thatched roofs?The roofs are made from water reed, straw, sedge, or heather, and they keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer, while also protecting the house from rain.
4. How are the walls of Old Thatch houses made?The walls use a wattle and daub system: a woven frame of wooden poles and branches covered with a mix of clay, sand, straw, and sometimes animal dung, making the walls strong and breathable.

Vernacular Architecture: Buildings designed and constructed using local materials and traditions, reflecting the needs and culture of the inhabitants.
Thatching: The craft of building a roof from dry vegetation such as straw, reeds, or sedge, providing insulation and waterproofing.
Wattle and Daub: A composite building material where woven branches (wattle) are plastered with a mixture of clay, sand, and straw (daub).
Material Culture: The study of the relationship between people and the objects they create and use, including buildings and their components.